The Toyota Land

Cruiser Club of

Australia

ABN: 49 003 174 785

We call it the TLCC

TLCC Established 1969

The TLCC held its first meeting, with an attendance of 13 people and 7 cars on the 24^th October 1969, due to the inspiration, determination and enthusiasm of Alex King.

With unending support from Thiess Toyota, the Club grew each meeting at a rate of 5 to 8 new members each month.  The present Club logo was designed in early 1970 and Thiess Toyota donated the first 300 stickers.   A 4WD Convenor was added to the Committee and one and two day trips as well as social gatherings became regular activities.  By December 1970 the first driver training, salvage and recovery exercise was held at Jackeroo Ranch and the first gymkhana was held at Kenthurst.

From this beginning, the Club grew from strength to strength.   In the 70’s much of the Club’s efforts were channelled into assisting various projects. At Kurnell on 21^st March 1976, 120 vehicles participated in the clean-up of the area surrounding Boat Harbour for the Save Kurnell Committee .   Since this time the Club has continued to assist in clean-up activities at Kurnell, Camperdown Cemetery, Joadja, Stockton Beach,  Lucas Heights, Woronora Weir, Wombeyan Caves Road, to mention just a few.

The TLCC was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Recreation Four Wheel Drive Clubs’ Association in June 1976.   Since its inception, the Association has grown and been active with land issues, such as N. P. and W.S. Draft Plans of Management, Wilderness Proposals, Crown Lands and Forest Land Usage, Coastal Policies, track access and closures etc.  Some TLCC members worked tirelessly in the promotion of the Association.   The Club members voted to resign from the Association in 1999 when considerable concerns on important issues could not be resolved    The TLCC Liaison Committee was then formed to continue to strive for access and interaction with other Clubs and the issues involving the 4WD movement.

Since 1980 an annual Swap Meet has been held at various locations.   Since 1992 it had been held at the Bass Hill Drive-In but with development closing that venue, in 2002 the Deep Water Motor Boat Club at Milperra was used.

The leasing of land at TARKOOLA in 1982 saw the beginning of working bees.  For years Club members mowed grass, built and maintained Club buildings and equipment, built an access bridge and maintained the access track.

In October 1987 the Club was incorporated as a company – a process that took four years!

Commencing the Bicentennial Year Celebrations, in 1988, the Club took 50 cadets from the ‘Tall Ships’ on a day trip into the Australian Bush.   Easter 1988 saw the culmination of two years work when over 1000 people participated in the Bicentennial 4WD Clubs Jamboree held at Coolendel near Nowra.

Through the years the Club has seen a variety of social events.   The Social Directors have had a tough job coming up with a multitude of functions suitable for the membership.   Current and previous members have been invited to attend the Club’s 25^th and 30^th Anniversary Dinners held at the Bankstown Sports Club.

In 1992, the Club took the significant step of purchasing KOOLANDILLY,  23 hectares on the banks of the Wollondilly River and accessed from the Wombeyan Caves Road.   As with Tarkoola, many members worked to build facilities, clear land for camping and planted trees.  Under the direction of Land Managers and Land Committees, working bees have maintained this beautiful property for the enjoyment of all members.

The FOXTROT PAPA tour in 1994, taking 10 wheelchair people, along with a medical back-up team, on a trip to Central Australia, Kakadu and Central Queensland was a major event and most successful.   As Len Beadell said, “Glad to hear of people giving up their time into organising such a trip and the organisers will be rewarded by the experiences of the trip even if it be a flat tyre.   The trip may take four weeks but the memories will last forever.”

In 1996 it was decided to purchase a property which would be suitable for conducting driver-training and holding Funkhana events.   The search for an affordable, suitable property continued until the three adjacent portions of land (total 130 ha) in the Willowglen Estate at Tarago were found. When the Mulwarree Shire Council approved the Club’s Development Approval, the membership voted in favour of the acquisition.    Since the purchase in October 1999, considerable development has occurred due to efforts of the Land Manager, his committee and enthusiasm of many Club members assisting in a myriad of ways.    This vast property, WILLOWGLEN, has now been used for Funkhanas, the Willowglen 4X4 Challenge events and is the venue for Modules 2 and 3 of the driver-training program plus many of our other popular education courses..

Because of the efforts of the Education Officer and others, the
N S W Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board approved the Club’s driver training course, Modules 1, 2 and 3 in 1998 but it took another three years before VETAB gave the approval for the Club to be listed as a Registered Training Organisation – November 2001.

The Reunion 2000 Bush Muster at was a social highlight of the year.  Col Buchanan entertained a large gathering of members at Koolandilly for a night that will be remembered.

The Swiss Paralympic Team Australian Experience occurred late in October 2000.   This consisted of three days when 38 members of the Swiss Paralympic Team were hosted by the Club and transported in members’ vehicles for a day in the bush.

Purchasing another property in 2000 was not planned.  The Club was given first offer on this property (77 ha), adjacent to Koolandilly, by the Club member owner.   The possibility of having uncooperative neighbours and losing the all-weather access, convinced the membership to vote overwhelmingly in favour of its purchase.  The membership chose to finance the purchase by the introduction of a land levy (ended now as the property is now fully paid for).

The Club continues to go from strength to strength because of the time and effort contributed by members.   It continues to foster the 4WD movement, strive for access, provide for the recreational needs of our members whilst looking after our environment for future generations.  

Toyota Land Cruiser Club of Australia © Oct 2002 Sydney Australia